Can lifter



Nov. 29, 1938. J, McMlLLAN 2,138,498

- CAN LIFTER Filed Aug. 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l Zhwentor 1938. J. B. MCMILLAN 2,133,498

CAN LIFTER Filed Aug. 2, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fiq5 II I I I lll 3maentor Joe fiMkMmn Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED suresrArENT orrirce OAN LIFTER Joe B. McMillan, La Conner, "W ash. Application August 2, 1937, Serial ;No. 156,927

16 Claims.

My invention relates Ito devices for engaging and lifting groups "of articles, such as cans. The principles :'of This :invention may :be embodied in devices :for lifting other articles which can be .5 grouped-Tor.instancetbottles. While I s'hall refer to itas awn-lifter, it willbeunderstood that no restriction is intended as'to the "manner of use 'norto the articl'eswith'which it is intended to be used. :Itiwill :be iound'use'ful 'for and it is my 10 intention to iprotectrits'use in conjunction with any articles Zto which fit is .adapted, particularly articles of cylin'dricalishape which'are commonly grouped, preferably in a :generally rectangular rpatternyand which it 'may' oe desired to lift and transport,.usually through short 'flistancesjm the group arrangement.

My invention has been particularly devised 'to facilitate the packing of shipping cases' forcanned goods. This :operation is generally performed by Q20 hand, theicases with:cans"f1thesizes most genv .gate sucha group, including ithe 'twoins'i'de cans,

from arlarger-.-grouping, without disturbance of 'the grouping, 'which will lift "these twelve cans :by :inward pressure upon the outside cans and withoutzany engagement of the inside cans except Iby'the adjacent walls of theiadjoining cans,

thereby'permitting'the entire group of twelve to .be i-liftedptransported, -'set :down within a packing case, "and released.

It is further mbject T to :devise a 'can lifter .40 of the: general character indicate-cla'bove, the elementsacjf "which ilie wholly'within the general rectangular pattern Iof the eans, and which will -:thereforefit'within the packing tease without any "engagement/0f the'wallsof-thecase by the lifting mean'syto ithe end that there will be*no interference occasionedrbyssuchengagement, and to the .further end thatcasesmay thus be :packedtwelve .cans-atartime and inazrapid and accurate manher.

'It isa-still further object to provide acan lifter of-thistypewhich-may be-so arranged as to-lift two-or m0re such *layersof cans, each .layer having cans-similarlygrouped, to the end that'an entire case may be packed in one operation.

.Itris az-furthereobject-to provide-sucha can-lift- ;ingidevi'cewhichwillkreadily engage and aiisengage the cansfand whichxwhen engaging them"wi1l d0 so in a manner which distributesinwardipressure :over ccensidjerable area-"s inf :the scans, :to the .end ithat theywillnot be deformedandtothe.further :5 end tthat Tthexlabel's, :if applied, will :not be disiturbed znorunarrecl.

Speaking more generally, E113 i's:an object to deavisez-a rcan-lifterwhich millssegregate, engage, and *liftcargrouprof cans withoutitheznec'essity of indi- 310 ".vidually and positively gripping each :such can, :but which will ieifect the lifting saction'iby inward rpressure upon the zouterssi'de only of ?.the outer- -m0s't cans, pressingzthem :inwardly intoLlifting en- -gagement iwith'the l'tadjacent :sides :of adjoining 1 5 reansgforzinstance cans in a'djoining .rows, and eregardless 'Whether fiche grouping is in .rows, in a rectangular, circular, "or other "pattern, or whetherithere are or fareznotiinside cans.

mongzothereobjectseare 'to iprovide :2. device by whichzitheznormalilitting:action'willeffect the gripping of the :cans; to mrovide :gr'ipping means which *aregadapted 'to :the :application "of a sumniently zpowerfulforce; to tprovide ffor :ready disengagement of thelcans'when-idesired; to provide ,25 a'djustments, :forsins'tancefto adapt the device to hands :nf difierent :size :or ispan'of grip; Land .in general 2120 provide 'a ":device -which is .ruggedxand reliable, "and yet sufficiently light.

invention comprises the novel :parts, and the'novel--c0mbinaition and arrangement thereof, -as shown in the accompanying drawings, and as 'will .be'hereinafter more fully :disclosed and derfined.

In the accompanying drawings the principles of my i-invention: are shownwembodied in twoillus- 'tra'tiveiforms.

Figure l is aageneralgplan View, with'parts broken awayaandtotherzparts' omitted, illustrating my -invention ina preferrediormgin association with 40 agroup-iofccans andz a;packing :caseto receive such -cans.

r'Figureu2 is'inipart an=elevationand .in part a :section, the view in general .being "along the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure :3 is =2. transverse :"section substantially on the .line 33-of Figure :1.

Figure 4 is an axial section along the upright post, taken .at right angles to the sectional por- 'tiOHDf Figure 2.

.liigure 5 is-a fragmentary view similar to Figure 3, illustrating amodified formof the invention.

eCanned goods are generally handled in masses, in which-the cans are-collectedin large groups of a'number of rows and in effect an endless number of cans in each row. The device of the present invention segregates a required number of cans, for example twelve, from the larger group, lifts them, and enables their transportation and deposit within a packing case, as a group. Later if it is desired to lift them as a group from the packing case, the device may be employed in this manner, fitting down into the packing case, without interference with either the cans or the packing case, engaging the cans and enabling them to be lifted from the case. In the preferred form the cans are lifted in groups of twenty-four, the usual capacity of a shipping case, arranged in two layers or groups of twelve cans each. Naturally the feasibility of this will depend to a considerable degree upon the weight, height, and size of the cans, so that it is not outside the scope of my invention to employ a device which will lift a single layer only or more than two layers, or a device which will lift the cans in groups of more or less than twelve, or arranged in patterns other than rectangular.

The basis of the invention lies in the provision of gripping means such as the fingers I, which are of a size and shape to extend down alongside the cans within the valleysbetween each two adjoining cans in the group, and therefore lying wholly within the general rectangular pattern of the group, and to provide suitable means to press these fingers inwardly when the gripping action is desired. They will usually be of metal, and While I have not found it necessary to face them with frictional material, this can be done if desired. Their length is'arranged to grip the number of layers desired; and there are sufiicient .fingers to engage in each outside valley of the group of the pattern which is to be lifted. In

a can lifter for use in packing the ordinary packing case ten such fingers are employed, and it will be observed that they engage only within the valleys between'each two outside cans. If they are to engage a second layer they are preferably extended inward slightly more at their lower end than at their upper end, so that the gripping action is substantially confined to the engagement with the lowermost group or layer, and their engagement with the upper group or groups is chiefiy a restraining action to prevent outward spreading or sliding. of the cans in the upper layers. They are preferably relieved, as indicated at and II, to straddle the top and bottom bead, and while itis the inward pressure of the fingers engaging'the sides of the cans that is chiefly relied upon'to effect'the lifting, the relieved portions l0 and II, especially the former, may at the same time grip the circumferential edges of the beads, and effect lifting engagement, since this is the least compressible part of the can, and the shoulder formed by the recesses l0 and I! may to some extent engage beneath the flange of thebead. By engaging the sides of the cans over a considerable length, the pressure is so distributed that the can walls are not deformed.

referably a number of such flanges along each of two opposite ends or sides of the group are secured together by connecting them rigidly to strips 53 and M for conjoint movement inwardly and outwardly of the group. Thus the strips [3 along the two longer sides of the group carry three such fingers I, and the strips l4 carry two. Since it is not desirable to permit the fingers to extend outwardly around the'corner cans suffi- 'ciently to encompass a diagonal diameter of such corner cans, because this would bring a part of such fingers outside of the general rectangular pattern of the group, it is preferable that additional restraining means or fingers I2 be provided, engaging the corner can at the corner of the group, and these fingers I 2 may likewise be secured to the strips l3. They restrain the tendency of the two fingers I, which press into the two valleys at opposite sides of such corner cans, to press the corner cans outwardly, and thus the corner can is preferably held at three points, although it will be evident, if the fingers I which engage this corner can extend sufliciently far as to encompass the diagonal diameter of the can,

' the restraining finger l2 will not be needed. It

will beobserved by reference to Figure 1 that the fingers i and i2 lie wholly within the rectangular pattern formed by the grouping of the cans, and within the walls of the packing case C, so that no interference results, yet the cans are closely confined within the packing case.

As will now be evident, various means may be employed to effect the desired inward and outward movement of the fingers. The means preferred by me is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive. A plate 2 constitutes the base for the device, and upon this base are secured sleeves receiving rods 2! which are secured to the strips E3 or M. If these are non-circularin cross section one only may be needed for each strip, but preferably additional guide rods and sleeves are provided, as indicated at 22 and 23, respectively. The rods 2| and sleeves 20 are substantially centrally disposed, and to each of them is connected lever mechanism or the like to draw the rods 2| and consequently the strips l3 or [4 inwardly.

A post 3 is carried by the plate 2 and projects upwardly therefrom, and-upon this post, which is preferably non-circular in cross section, is slidably received a slide 30. Lever arms 24 are pivoted at 25 upon the post 3, and their lower arms are connected, as by links 26,to the inner end of the rods 2|. To the upper arm of each lever-24 is connected an inwardly and downwardly inclined link 21 in the nature of a. toggle link, which is'pivotally connected at 28 to the slide 30. The slide 30 is provided with a laterally extending lifting handle 3|, and preferably arms 32 extend laterally from the upper end of the post 3 above the lifting handle 3!. A spring 33, reacting between the slide 30 and a collar 34 adjustable lengthwise of the post 3, tends to move the slide downwardly, and in a direction to move the fingers I outwardly. A stop collar 39 on the post,

engageable by the slide, limits downward movement of the slide, and spreading of the fingers,

and may be adjustable along the post, if desired.

Engagement of the lifting handle 3! as in lifting, accompanied, if necessary, by a slight squeezcomes the tendency of the spring 33 to spread the fingers, and draws the fingers inwardly, a

ing between the handle 3| and the arms 32, overable lengthwise of the post 3 in order to adjust the compression pressure of the spring 33. A set screw 35 has its inner pointed end engageable in any one of a series of depressions 38 in the post 3 to accomplish this adjustment. Furthermore the spacing between the lifting handle 3| and the arms 32 may be adjusted in order to accommodate the span of grip of an individuals hands, and this is conveniently accomplished by securing a nut 36 to the arms 32, the upper end of the post being threaded, and the adjustment being accomplished in this way, parts being held in adjusted position by a lock nut 81.

It is not essential, though preferable, that the fingers i have rectilinear inward and outward movement. They may be pivotally mounted, as shown in Figure 5. Here the strip I3, carrying the several fingers I, is pivotally mounted at 15 upon the plate 2, through the medium of a lever iii, to the upper end of which is connected a link H, in turn pivotally connected at I8 to the lower end of the slide 30. Upward movement of the slide eiiects inward swinging of the fingers I in this arrangement.

While the operating mechanism described is that which I now prefer to use, it being simple, adequately powerful, and rugged, as well as being adjustable as necessary, yet various forms of operating mechanism may be employed to eifect movement and gripping of the fingers in accordance with the principles of my invention disclosed at the outset of this specification.

What I claim as my invention is:

i. Mechanism to lift a group of cans or the like, in which group one or more cans are surrounded by other cans, comprising a support, a plurality of fingers carried by and depending below said support, and arranged in a pattern to enclose the group, and to engage the side of each outside can of the group, only, and means to press all said fingers inwardly, thereby pressing the outside cans into firm engagement with the inside cans.

2. Mechanism to lift a group of cylindrical cans or the like, in which group one or more cans are surrounded by other cans, comprising a plurality of fingers disposed in a pattern to surround the group and to engage the side of each outside can, only, a lifting handle, and means operatively connecting said lifting handle to the fingers, in such manner that upward movement of the lifting handle effects inward movement of all the fingers simultaneously, thereby pressing outside cans into firm engagement with the inside cans.

3. Mechanism to lift a group of cylindrical cans or the likedisposed in a plurality of rows, comprising a plurality of fingers disposed in a pattern to engage the outer side only of each outer can, and to engage each corner can of the group outside of a diameter, and means to press said fingers inwardly, thereby pressing the inner side of each outside can into lifting engagement with the adjacent side of an adjoining can.

4. Means to lift a group of cans or the like di posed in a rectangular group of a plurality of rows, comprising fingers disposed in a rectangular pattern to engage the outer side only of each outside can, within the valley between each two adjoining cans, whereby each such finger engages two cans, means disposed at the corners of such rectangular pattern of the fingers, in position to engage the outer corner of each corner can of the group, to restrain outward movement thereof, and means to press all said fingers inwardiy from each side'and end of the group,

thereby pressing the inner side of each outside can into firm engagement with the adjacent side of an adjoining can.

5. Means to lift a group of cylindrical cans or the like disposed in a plurality of rows in a generally rectangular pattern, comprising a plurality of fingers, one disposed in each valley between each two outside cans, only, to engage the side of such cans, and the several fingers arranged in a rectangular pattern, means disposed at the corners of such rectangular pattern of the fingers to engage and restrain the outside corner of each corner can, and means to press all said fingers inwardly from both ends and both sides of the group, thereby pressing the inner side of each outside can into lifting engagement with the adjacent side of an adjoining can, said fingers and said corner-engaging means being disposed substantially entirely within the rectangular pattern tangent to the outside cans of the group.

6. Means to lift a group of cans or the like disposed in a plurality of rows in a generally rectangular pattern, comprising fingers disposed in each valley between two cans in the rows along two opposite outer sides of the group, means to press said fingers inwardly, thereby pressing the inner side of each such can into lifting engagement with the adjacent side of a can in the adjoining row, and means engageable with the end cans of each row to restrain movement thereef lengthwise of the rows.

7. Means to lift a group of cans or the like disposed in a plurality of rows in a generally rectangular pattern, comprising fingers disposed in each valley between two cans in the rows along two opposite outer sides of the group, means to press said fingers inwardly, thereby pressing the inner side of each such can into lifting engagement with the adjacent side of a can in the adjoining row, and means engageable with the end cans of each row to restrain movement thereof lengthwise of the rows, said latter means and said fingers being disposed substantially entirely within the rectangular pattern of the group of cans.

8. Means to lift a plurality of closely grouped cans or the like, comprising fingers of a length equal to an appreciable part of the height of the cans, disposed in the valleys between each two adjoining outermost cans, only, means guiding said fingers for movement into and from the bottoms of such valleys, thereby, in conjunction with adjoining fingers, to press said cans inwardly and to press their inner sides into lifting engagement with the adjacent side of an adjoining can, and means so to move such fingers.

9. Means to lift a plurality of closely grouped cans or the like, comprising a plate disposed above the group of cans, fingers depending from said plate of a length equal to an appreciable portion of the height of the cans, and shaped to lie wholly within each valley between two adjoining outermost cans, means carried by said plate guiding said fingers for movement into and from the bottoms of such valleys, and means carried by the plate and operable from above the group to effect such movement, thereby to press the inner side of each can into lifting engagement with the adjacent side of an adjoining can.

10. The combination of claim 9, including a strip joining a plurality of fingers for movement, and in which combination the guide means are formed as cooperating rods and sleeves, one car- II-i ried by the strip and the other by the plate, for rectilinear movement of the fingers.

3.1. The combination of claim 9, including a strip whereon a plurality of fingers are rigidly secured, and in which combination theguide means are formed as a pivot pin carried by the plate and an arm pivoted thereon and secured to the strip, for slight swinging movement of the fingers.

12. Means for lifting a plurality of closel grouped cans or the like, comprising a plate disposed above the group of cans, fingers depending from the plate in position to engage the outer sides, only, of only the outermost cans, a post upstanding from the plate, a slide movable along the post towards and from the plate, a lifting handle connected to said slide, and means operatively'connecting the slide to the fingers,,to draw the latter inwardly into lifting engagement with the cans by upward movement of the slide.

13. Means for lifting a plurality of closely grouped cans or the like, comprising a plate disposed above the group of cans, fingers depending from the plate in position to engage the outer sides, only, of only the outermost cans, a post upstanding from the plate, a slide movable along the post towards and from the plate, a lifting handle extending laterally from the slide, arms parallel to and above the handle, projecting from the post, spring means tending to separate the handle and said arms, and means operatively connecting the slide to the fingers, to draw the latter inwardly into lifting engagement with the cans by upward movement of the slide.

14. The combination of claim 12, including strips on each of which a plurality of fingers are rigidly secured, means carried by the plate guidings'aid strips for rectilinear inward and outward movement, thus to draw the fingers into liftingengagement with the cans, or to release them-an upright lever arm for each strip pivoted disposed above the group of cans, a plurality of fingers each supported from and depending from the plate, and forming a plurality of groups of fingers each of a size and shape to encompass one side of the group of cans, and in the aggregate surrounding'the entire group of cans, each of such fingers being positioned to engage an outer side only of an outside can, and means to compress all of said groups of fingers inwardly simultaneously, to compress all the cans of said group into firm adherence as a group.

16. Mechanism to lift a group of cylindrical or the like disposed in a plurality of rows, comprising a plurality of fingers disposed in four or more groups in a pattern to surround the group of cans and to engage the outer side only of each outside can, and means to press said groups of fingers simultaneously inwardly, thereby pressing the inner side of each outside can into firm engagement with the adjacent side of an adjoining can.

JOE B. MCMILLAN.

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